What Class Do Termites Belong To?
Termites are one of the most successful insect groups. They are eusocial insects, which means that they live in colonies. The colonies consist of reproductives, soldiers, and workers. Each caste has a distinct role in the colony.
Termites are found in tropical and temperate regions. They prefer moist, lowland areas. Most species of termites feed on wood, while others are fungus growers and plant feeders. There are about 3,106 species of termites classified worldwide. Approximately three-fourths of the species are found in tropical regions.
The termite life cycle starts with an egg. During this stage, a king and queen care for the young. The king and queen eventually form a reproductive pair. They hollow out a small mating chamber. After a few years, the queen may lay over 1000 eggs a day.
The nymph stage is a transitional stage in the termite’s life. It consists of several stages, including flight, shedding skin, and developing into a fully winged adult. These stages are accompanied by an incomplete metamorphosis. The adult termite then becomes a worker. The worker termite is completely white.
The soldier termite is specialized for defense. Many have large heads, and highly modified, powerful jaws. These species have defensive specializations that help them to block narrow tunnels.
There are about 280 genera of termites. The order Isoptera includes about 3000 species. The most diverse termites are found in South America and Australia. A small number of species is found in North America, Europe, and Africa.